It was one of those uncommon afternoons when the whole of England, or at least a large red and white lump of it, stops what it is doing for a couple of hours and is drawn together by a game of football.

Offices let out staff early or set up screens for staff (one power company advised managers to turn off "non-essential" equipment such as computers and printers). Factory workers came in at dawn so they could leave in time to change into replica shirts and head for the pub or sofa. Even some judges showed leniency, allowing jurors to work through lunch breaks and leave early so they could find a place to watch the game.

And, finally, England gave the faithful something to cheer about when they clung on to that precious 1-0 win against Slovenia.

At fan parks and pubs across the country, the most optimistic supporters chanted: "We're going to win the cup." The more down-to-earth were just pleased that their team had reached the knockout stages.

Stan, a manager for a financial company, said it was no fun watching England. He watched at the fan park in Bristol and by the end of the game his suit was sweaty and crumpled, his tie almost at his belly button. "I sobbed when we scored the goal. I'm glad I had the shades on or I could have taken a bit of stick. I didn't know how tense I was until we scored. I'd convinced myself it didn't really matter but it does."

Joe Reeves said he knew all about disappointing England performances. He was in Mexico in 1970 when England, then World Cup holders, surrendered a 2-0 lead against West Germany and were booted out of the tournament.

"This has been better. But we'll have to improve if we're going to go any further."

Many schools had made arrangements to ensure pupils could watch the game. Some cut break and lunchtime and let those that wanted to go home early. Others set up screens in halls or classrooms to cater for the outburst of football fever.

A few pupils took the law into their own hands. One teacher from Wolverhampton told the Guardian's World Cup live blog: "Kids here this morning – 26. Kids here this afternoon – six."

Emails seemed to flow just a little slower. "My BlackBerry is at peace for the first time ever," said Pete James, a businessman from the West Midlands. More than 100,000 music lovers were able to see the game on a screen on the pyramid stage at Glastonbury.

Fans leaving the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth, where England supporters had outsung the vuvuzelas, were pleased at the improved showing.

Dan Thomas, a sales manager from Guildford, Surrey, said: "It was an excellent game. We defended well, passed well, it was a completely different performance." He said he was going to cancel his ticket home to stay for the next match.

Leading a rendition of "We're Not Going Home" was Alan Corlett, from Liverpool. "Today the body language was absolutely brilliant," he said. "The attitude was fantastic, we proved we can play." There was also support from a South African politician – Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, who watched the game with children from the family's home village. A Manchester United fan, he said he was delighted England were staying in the tournament. "It was incredible. Their World Cup campaign has just lifted off," he said.

But thoughts were already turning to England's next match. There will be a different feeling on Sunday afternoon. Germany are bound to be a stiffer test (though William Hill installed England as favourites and estimated that more than £25m could be bet on the match). The timing also means that viewing might be a less public affair for many.

England fans in South Africa partied late into the night – and it may be post win bravado but many felt their team could beat their old foes.

Tim Cocking, 35, from Helston, Cornwall, said: "Bring on Germany. That's what we want. We're better against the big teams. When you write us off that's when we come back fighting."

His friend, Mark Christophers, from Notting Hill, said: "England v Germany. That's the biggest World Cup game there is. That's what it's all about."